Page 7 of Bear Creek Thanksgiving (Holiday Mates #3)

Filling the gift shop with product was a herculean task, and the weeks following his arrival kept Dustin inordinately busy.

During the day, he sought out local artisans, human and shifter, to provide items for his empty shelves.

Along with carrying a selection of Delicious chocolates and cocoa mixes, Dustin had commissioned Aiden to create a unique line of apple snack bars with the Shady Lane logo.

So far, he had natural soaps, greeting cards, wood carvings, lavender sachets, lap quilts, candles, pottery, jewelry, maple syrup, and preserves among other things.

Today, Dustin once again found himself surrounded by stacks of new items. Multiple deliveries brought in products that had to be checked in, compared with the original order, priced, and given a proper home.

It was almost like Christmas day, except all the gifts were for him and he wasn’t allowed to play with any of them.

He’d just finished a display of apple-themed stationery when someone came in.

Dustin turned to find a young, attractive shifter giving him the once-over and carrying a tall stack of boxes.

“Hello! Why don’t you put those down over there by the register. I don’t think we’ve met—I’m Dustin Mowry.”

Once he’d put the boxes down, the man leaned in for a good scenting, growling softly. Just then, Gruff burst through the door with a pissed off expression and squeezed in between them.

“This is Malcom Nesbitt. He owns the hives in our orchard and makes the honey products I told you about.”

Annoyed by Gruff’s odd behavior, Dustin shuffled sideways and extended his hand.

“Hi Malcom. It’s great to finally meet you in person...”

Growling, Gruff blocked the handshake and aimed a resounding “ NO!” at Malcom.

While Dustin glowered at his boss, Malcom simply laughed at his friend’s unexpected protectiveness.

“Pull in your claws, Gruff, I was just being friendly. You better act fast if you want to keep this one for yourself. He’s cute.”

Dustin wasn’t sure if he should be insulted or pleased, and when Malcom excused himself to bring in more product, he rounded on his boss.

“You were rude! No one gets treated that way here if I have anything to say about it.”

Gruff’s inner struggle with his bear was plain to see, and he huffed in frustration.

“He...he was going to touch you!”

Dustin figured it must be a shifter thing, and he backed down so as not to upset Gruff further.

“Look, I don’t know what’s going on here, but there’s no harm in shaking someone’s hand. Now, why don’t you help me put some of this away?”

Malcom made several trips back and forth while they started filling the shelves with glass jars of clover, buckwheat, wildflower, and orange blossom honey. The other boxes contained a product

Dustin had never seen before—jars of honey mixed with nuts or fruit. Malcom noticed his confusion and explained.

“I think the tradition started in the Middle East, but the combination tastes great and is a healthy snack. I offer three varieties with whole nuts—pecan, black walnut, and hickory. The fruit combos are blueberry, blackberry, and strawberry. Most of the ingredients are grown or harvested by local shifters and they’re all organic. ”

Gruff’s low rumbling growls made more sense when Dustin noticed he was practically drooling.

“I tried these last year when he first started making them, and they’re fantastic . I bet they become a best seller.”

When Malcom came back in with the last load, he handed Dustin some shelf-talker signs with ‘Ask for a sample!’ printed on them.

Not knowing much about honey, Dustin peppered him with questions so he could speak intelligently about the products with his customers.

A good portion of their initial order included big heavy jars of honey destined for the commercial kitchen.

Malcom was happy to provide more information about the differences between them.

“I suggest using clover or wildflower varieties for your baking. Both have a lighter taste that won’t overwhelm the other ingredients.

The orange blossom is thick and aromatic, so it’s better suited as a drizzle on top.

Buckwheat is popular as a healthy choice, but it’s dark and has a strong flavor, so be careful how much you use.

If you still have questions, check my website or give me a call. ”

Dustin compared the delivery against the invoice and then wrote out a check to Bees’ Knees for Malcom to take with him. The cheeky shifter thanked both men and turned to go with a playful exhortation.

“Have fun, boys. Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do!”

Gruff growled low and long as Malcom disappeared through the front doors.

“Huh. There isn’t anything or anyone he wouldn’t do.”

Dustin swallowed his laughter.

“So Malcom has a reputation, does he?”

Gruff grunted and turned to face Dustin, cupping his cheek with a thick-fingered hand.

“He can’t...I don’t want him touching you!”

Dustin could barely breathe, but he refused to let Gruff’s demand remain unchallenged.

“Why not? You’re touching me.”

Gruff’s hand fell away like it was on fire as a furious blush stained his cheeks.

“Oh, right. Sorry. I’m sorry.”

Dustin watched him leave the building with a heavy heart and whispered a confession of his own.

“I’m sorry, too.”

############

Saturday, July 29 th

By Gruff’s estimation, the apple harvest should be in full swing when the Red Barn had its grand opening on August fourteenth.

Until then, he stockpiled the first wave of Gala apples to use for cider.

While Dustin transformed the new building into Gruff’s dream, he was focused on preparing for the crowds.

With the Red Barn open year-round, there would always be work to do and customers on the property.

Things would slow down considerably by Thanksgiving, when the apple season ended, and Gruff began debating what his winter hours might be.

People would still want to pick up baked goods, shop for gifts, or skate on the pond, but that didn’t mean he couldn’t limit the hours to something more reasonable.

He hadn’t minded putting in long days for the last six years, but Dustin wouldn’t be interested in working eighty-hour weeks.

They’d have to figure it out together, and Gruff looked forward to discussing it with him.

Life was better with him around to share the burden or simply have someone to talk to.

With the end of mating season, the tension between them had been forgotten and replaced by a comfortable working relationship.

Gruff’s bear still hadn’t let up about spending more time with Dustin, but that was easier to ignore now and he was too busy to even think about anything but his expanding business.

Mostly. Well, not at night after Dustin went home to his apartment and Gruff missed him so much it hurt.

He’d just have to endure it somehow, because there weren’t any other options.

Right after lunch, Gruff pried Dustin away from his kitchen so he could teach him how to make cider.

Both donned ball caps and waterproof aprons, and started at the washing station.

Apples were dumped onto a large steel table with a six-inch lip on three sides, and sprayed with fresh water.

White five-gallon buckets were then filled with clean apples and fed into the top of the press.

The juice was collected in a vat below and then packaged in half-gallon plastic jugs.

From there, they were placed in sturdy milk crates and stored in the walk-in cooler to await use or sale.

As they were finishing up, Dustin’s curiosity prompted a question.

“So what makes this cider instead of apple juice?”

Gruff was glad he’d asked, since customers probably would too.

“Apple juice is filtered, sweetened, pasteurized, and often has preservatives. Cider is a more natural drink because it’s unfiltered and raw—with nothing added or taken away.

You can tell the difference because it’s darker, opaque, and has some sediment at the bottom.

The downside is that it has to be refrigerated and only lasts about seven to ten days—otherwise it ferments and you end up with hard cider.

If you have the time to experiment, we could also sell a spiced version by adding cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. ”

The onerous task of cleaning up took longer than making the cider itself.

The mash left over from the process, called pomace, was collected and set aside before the machine, floor, and wash station were hosed down and sanitized.

When they were finished, Gruff invited Dustin to have a taste, and poured each of them a glassful.

“Yum! I’m going to take some of this upstairs for my recipes. Will you use a mix of different apples when they’re ready to harvest?”

Gruff nodded.

“Yes. I think the taste is better if I use more than one type. I’ll have to experiment a little to get it right, but most people won’t notice a big difference.”

Dustin still had a question about the whole cider-making process.

“What happens to the pomace? It seems a shame to waste all of that fruit, though I’m not sure what it’s good for.”

Gruff gave him an almost-smile while he rumbled with delight.

“They can make all sorts of things with it, but my bear loves it. I’ll have to give some of it away when we start making cider every day, but bears consider it a treat.”

Dustin knew he wasn’t joking, but then, bears weren’t picky eaters.

“Well, it sounds like everybody wins, then.”

Gruff managed a quiet chuckle and made his own inquiry.

“What are you working on this afternoon?”

Dustin perked right up, and Gruff loved seeing his expression change.

“I’m making cookies, cupcakes, and if there’s enough time, muffins. How about I text you when they’re done so you can taste test for me?”

Gruff and his bear liked the idea.

“Deal. I’ll be in the old barn if you need me.”

#############

Three hours later...

Dustin adored the new kitchen, and as his domain, he got to arrange things just the way he wanted them.

There were a few items he’d needed, but Gruff had approved every one of his requests.

He really was the sweetest guy, and Dustin enjoyed plying him with test products.

Shifters certainly weren’t shy about eating, and it warmed the cockles of his heart when he got to feed Gruff.

Doing so every day would be even better, but that possibility was the stuff of dreams.

Dustin heard Gruff coming up the stairs, having responded to his earlier text of “Come and get it! ” Madly sniffing the air, his boss walked up to get a visual of the treats now laid out on the countertop.

“Okay. What am I testing?”

Dustin pointed to each item as he named them.

“These are chewy carrot raisin cookies with cream cheese frosting. Next are pumpkin spice cupcakes topped with cinnamon sugar. And last, I have some caramel apple muffins with a honey glaze.”

Gruff started with the cookies, eating three of them before his rumbling purr began—usually indicating pleasure of some kind. He did the same with the other two desserts and then gave his expert opinion.

“I like them all. You do good work.”

Dustin couldn’t help but smile.

“Thank you, Gruff. How was the sweetness level—enough but not too much?”

Gruff nodded.

“Just right I think, and they’ll all look good in the display case. How about something with maple syrup? I know customers will be looking for it.”

Dustin snatched some recipes out of his box, waving them around.

“I have a maple de leches cake which will knock your socks off, a maple scone recipe to die for, and a maple donut stick for dunking. How do those sound?”

Gruff’s rumble was very noticeable now.

“If they’re as good as everything else you’ve made, I think our customers will keep coming back.”

Dustin held up his palm for a high five, and Gruff complied.

“That’s what I like to hear. Say, why don’t you take some of these home?”

Gruff certainly wasn’t going to argue, waiting patiently while Dustin sealed them in plastic bags.

Their fingers overlapped as Gruff reached out to take them, and they both froze, minds busy trying to identify the cause of a curious electric zing!

Dustin smiled at the man, asking what he’d been too afraid to bring up earlier.

“Tomorrow afternoon is one of the concerts in the park. Would you like to join me?”

It wasn’t a fair question with their fingers touching, Dustin’s sexy, hopeful scent filling the air, and his bear chanting YES, YES, YES in his head. Gruff hated being out in public, which meant there was only one possible answer.

“Okay. Tell me when and where to meet you.”

Dustin’s smile rivaled the sun, and the next thing Gruff knew he was outside the building holding three bags of baked goods. What the hell just happened?